Cloth & culture now

Abstract

The research explored the transition from the repetition of traditional practice, to the development of a contemporary language of making, and the factors that influence that development. 35 artists fro Estonia, Finland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania and the UK were selected to take part. In each of these countries textiles have traditionally played a central role, both economically and also as a carrier of the narrative of place. And in each of these countries contemporary textile artists are using that embedded narrative of traditional practice within the discourse surrounding their practice. The book contains an overview of the project and extracts from the in depth interviews conducted by me with the artists throughout the length of the project. The exhibition contained work made by all the artists specifically in response to the thesis of the project. The website contains personal statements from all the artists about the project thesis.